Getting Assistance
Accessing medications that you need can be difficult,
but there are often programs such as Patient Assistance Programs or
state and/or federally funded ADAPs (for HIV and some hepatitis
medications) or medication assistance programs that can help. Other Drug Types
are also available such as drugs for diabetes, cancers, and heart
disease.
Our objective is to help you learn about these
programs, as well as maximize your benefits through Medicare, Medicaid,
or any type of private insurance you might have. The goal is to reduce
your expenses to the smallest amount possible, and to make sure you know
you do have options.
The Network is a
national, non-profit community based organization that provides case management,
treatment and access information, advocacy and counseling, education,
and referral services for people with HIV, chronic hepatitis, and other
diseases.
You can help us out by sending an e-mail to us first
so we have basic information on how we can best help you. Using this form, let
us know if you have any kind of insurance and what kind if you do, your
state and zip code, and a way to respond to your questions. Make sure to
include your e-mail address and a phone number if you like. Any
information you send us is confidential. We don't share your identifying
information with anyone.
Drug Companies often have programs
that offer treatments to individuals who can't afford them. They are
called Patient Assistance Programs. There are all types of
programs, but the main type is the kind where a drug company makes their
products available for free to people with few financial resources.
Typically - but not always - these programs determine your eligibility
based on your household income.
Often, they will provide the
drug (or possibly drugs) you need at no charge, but there are
eligibility criteria you must meet and forms to be filled out. They may
also require that you prove that you are not eligible for any public or
private insurance programs. We can help you figure all that out, if you
need us to do so.
You should have ready proof of income and
medical expenses, doctor's prescription, Medicare Part D status, and a
Medicaid/Insurance denial letter. You may ask your doctor or another
health care professional, a case manager, or someone who is helping you
to contact us if it is easier for you.
If you have insurance
coverage, or make a certain amount of money per year, you may be
referred to a program that provides the drug at a reduced price. In some
cases, you can receive a drug although you have not met the $2,700 donut
hole required of Medicare Part D Drug Prescription Plans. If you are on
an ADAP waiting list (for HIV and related drugs) or your ADAP does not
cover the drug you need, have documentation (such as your ADAP's
formulary or a letter from the program stating you are on a wait list)
ready as well. If you have HIV or HIV/hepatitis co-infection, the people
who run your state's program will be able to tell you exactly what they
require. There also may be other state programs for HIV, hepatitis, or
other medications used to prevent or treat ilnesses.
There are
hundreds of drugs used for the management of AIDS and HIV-related
illnesses - which now include a lot of the ilnesses and conditions that
everyone deals with - including hepatitis treatments and vaccines. Some
of them are described in Simple Fact Sheets.
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Hepatitis C Treatments
- Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a)
- PEG Intron (peginterferon alfa-2b)
- Infergen (consensus interferon)
Ribavirin must be taken twice a day with peginterferon, according to what your doctor has prescribed you. It is also available as a generic drug. It is available through the Pegasys or PEG Intron patient assistance programs, or through other programs. Fill out a Request
Information form for additional assistance. Other Hepatitis C treatments are approved, but rarely used as better treatments have replaced them.
Hepatitis B Treatments
- Baraclude -
entecavir
- Epivir-HBV - lamivudine
- Intron
A - interferon alfa-2b
- Hepsera - adefovir
dipivoxil
- Pegasys - peginterferon alfa-2a
- Tyzeka - telbivudine
- Viread - tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
Hepatitis A and/or B Vaccines- Havrix
- Vaqta
- Engerix-B
- Recombivax HB
- TwinRix
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Hepatitis Treatment, Research, Policy and Access News
Adult Viral Hepatitis Coordinators has a
state by state listing.
For National ADAP Monitoring Project Reports, and a wide
variety of other information and policy reports, go to NASTAD. The 2008 ADAP Formularies
(covered drugs and such).
The Treatment Action Group (TAG) publishes the
2008 Pipeline Report.
Accessing Medications and Program Explanations - NASTAD is working on hepatitis
screening, http://www.rxassist.org/ is
offering up to 40% discounts on prescription drugs, and pparx.org offers
listings of lots of access programs.
The Immunization Action
Coalition: The Immunization Action Coalition, a 501(c)3
nonprofit organization, works to increase immunization rates and prevent
disease by creating and distributing educational materials for health
professionals and the public that enhance the delivery of safe and
effective immunization services. The Coalition also facilitates
communication about the safety, efficacy, and use of vaccines within the
broad immunization community of patients, parents, health care
organizations, and government health agencies.
New York City
Services - For HIV+ people. Contact us first. Fast, hassle-free,
confidential help of all kinds for people of all kinds. We make things
work for you. No fee, charge or insurance required. Need help now?
E-mail us at The
Network, or call our toll-free number at (800) 734-7104
for help getting housing, food, insurance or benefits assistance,
treatment, care, living expenses, legal referrals and counseling. HIV+
people anywhere in the New York City area can join our case management
program. Hepatitis co-infected people welcome to participate in the New
York City program. Use the Request information Form for national
assistance
The Network
is a national, not for profit New York city based organization that
provides national services.
Patient Assistance Programs -
Sometimes you must look for programs to cover the costs of your
treatments or care. You might need to try a Patient Assistance
Program. The pharmaceutical industry has set up programs that
offer medications for free, or sometimes at a very low price. E-mail us for a specific drug
or company's program. There are also other options we can suggest, such
as savings cards or retail promotions at large chain stores. Specifics
need to be worked out.
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